Best American actor/actress currently working...

For actor, no question, I have to go with Kevin Spacey. He's brilliant, he's made mediocre films great through his exceptional performances, and he can slip into any role like a pair of old leather shoes. Of course, huge props to DeNiro, Pacino, and Norton, but Kevin's my man.

Actress, this is harder. I'm tempted to say Meryl Streep, but that's what EVERYONE says. Is it because she really IS the best, or is it because she's hyped as the best? She's certainly been excellent in everything I've ever seen her in, but so has Angelica Huston, Julianne Moore, and Susan Sarandon. Ah, screw it, I'll say Meryl Streep anyway. :)

What do you think?

Cat

Julianne Moore and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Both incredible in everything they do.

He's definitely climbing the charts for me too. :) I'll wait and reserve judgement until he's got a couple more films under his belt--but he sure hasn't made a mis-step yet!

Cat

Boogie Nights or Magnolia?

I have to agree with you on Julianne Moore and for actor I would have to say Kevin Spacey.

and Johnny Depp have not yet been mentioned. Faye Dunaway too. Streep just doesn't float my boat. As some critic mentioned, you can see all the gears and wheels going. I'm glad some folks like her though. My favorite stuff of hers is comedy.

Johnny Depp is very good too, I agree.

Cat

He's been called "The Thinking Person's Actor", and the roles he has chosen to play reflect it. He is best known for "The Killing Fields", but he's made many movies that take a stand, including "The Matthew Shepard Story" last year. Besides his roles on stage (including "Abe Lincoln in Illinois") and television ("I'll Fly Away", "Law and Order"), Sam is known in philanthropic circles for his selfless giving without asking for fanfare. He is on the Board of Directors of Refugees International, works gratus for "The Visionaries", and helps in so many causes it is difficult to list them all. He's also an ardent Democrat who walks his talk. Check my tagline for Sam's idea on social action:

I love him on Law and Order. I will have to check into his film catalog a bit more!

Cat

at http://www.geocities.com/ayeshahaqqiqa/films.html

I like Lawrence Fishburn too. I think he's really just as good. Actress? Alfrie Woodard.

Just realized my initial post contains no actors of color. I am ashamed. :( Alfre Woodard, excellent choice, she was wonderful in Grand Canyon.

Cat

Thank goodness he still makes movies. He's the greatest.

She's great though, I loved her in Elizabeth.

Paul Newman is wonderful, he was great in the Hustler. And he was HOT back in the day! Plus, all the charity. And still married to Joanne Woodward, after all this time. (Although if you've got Joanne Woodward at home, why go looking?) :)

Cat

She's Australian :P

oh well, she's great anyway!

she was astonishingly good as a young artist (and nothing has changed)

You don't like his acting, fine - since the BATMAN debacle, he's made impeccable choices in scripts and directors, and unlike any of the other people mentioned so far, has the clout in Hollywood to get them made.

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND proved he can direct, too.

SOLARIS came out on video today; I already bought my copy.

And I agree that he has real directing talent as well. CONFESSIONS was a complex film and he pulled it off masterfully.

Right Stuff, Glengarry Glen Ross, Pollock--to name a few. Ed is the MAN. And not coincidentally, another liberal.

And Harris was terrific in it. He's really hot too. :)

Cat

I will say this about the man--he ages like a fine wine. He gets better and more Cary-Grant-looking the older he gets.

Cat

Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, Jennifer Connely, Laura Dern...

And the best ever - Paul Newman

She was good in "A Beautiful Mind", but not THAT good. She's a beautiful woman, but I haven't really seen much acting chops from her. What movie should I watch with her that will show me what she can do?

Laura Dern, good choice. She's very good.

Cat

In Requiem For a Dream, than she was in a Beautiful Mind. Then again, I liked RFAD a lot better, too.

was also in "The Rocketeer", and it was quite a thankless role (although she was probably thankful enough for it at the time)

that I thought she wouldn't be able to do anymore - she did great, so I still give it to her. If Nick Cage stays away from dumb action type movies now that he has a bazillion dollars and makes good ones like the aforementioned one and Leaving Las Vegas, he'll get my vote back. For now, don't know.

First of all, I thought the movie as a whole was just brilliant. Everyone in it was amazing, but Cage really outdid himself. He has the range and commitment to play just about any role, which is why it makes me hate him when he makes steaming piles of dogshit like "ConAir".

Cat

n/t

Those of us who grew up in the 80's know Hackman as a benevolent "Santa" type guy, but when you go back and look at his earler work, he was really quite brilliant, and took chances with his roles.

Cat

the French Connection, and then his later bad guy roles were tremendous

in a couple of movies...Unforgiven with Clint Eastwood and a movie with Sharon Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Stewart. The name escapes me. But Gene has a very bad man.

.

He chews the scenery a BIT too much for my taste. Plus I'll never forgive him for wearing dredlocks in that one drug movie.

Cat

he just gets better and better.

:evilgrin:

Meryl
Adrian Brody

It's all apples and oranges I think.

I don't know about putting Brody on the all-time list yet. He still has plenty of time to make lots of shitty movies. :) Although the choices he's made so far don't lead me to believe he will.

Cat

I don't care if he does one movie every three years. There is nobody better than this man. Not only is he a fine actor, he is a philanthropist and a champion of the liberal cause. Oh, he races cars, too.

Until Mr. Newman is no longer with us, he owns this title, IMHO.


If you want an actor working more regularly, I will say Billy Bob Thornton.

Billy Bob is a great actor. I think he's a weirdo in real life, but luckily that's okay for an actor!

Cat

Not certain who I'd choose for actress. Have to think about that a bit.

in the past five years? I can't, off the top of my head, and for DeNiro, one of the finest actors of all time, to be seen in drivel like Meet The Parents and Analyze This, bumps him off my all-time list. Retire with grace, or do just a few selected films after you get over a certain age, like Paul Newman does, like Jessica Tandy and Kate Hepburn did. You certainly don't need the fucking moeny, Bob.

Cat

I liked both "Insomnia" and "The Recruit" with Pacino. And although it was more than five years ago--I believe it was in the nineties--Donnie Brasco had a great understated performance by Pacino. I think he should have won an Oscar for that one, but unfortunately, it's his over-the-top performances that get the attention.

As for DeNiro, I see your point. Meet the Parents was one of the worst movies I've seen in recent years. I liked Analyze This (but not Analyze That), and I thought it was nice to see him cut loose and have fun with a role, since most of his roles are so intense. But right off-hand, I can't think of a good film/role for him in recent years; I guess I'd have to look it up to see if I'm forgetting one.

I was surprised because it got so-so reviews, but I really liked it.

I'm fairly certain Donnie Brascoe was more than 5 years ago, but I agree, both he and Depp were good in that.

Cat

Norton is awsome in anything!
Blanchette is all class and elegence and blows me away.

and I dont give a rats behind if she aint american!!

Never afraid to play a physically unattractive character (how many actors will do that?)
Never played a character who: could fly, engage in a swordfight, or shoot a raygun (or any other hokey bullshit)
Always rises above a terrible film (see: "Carlito's Way" or "Shanghai Surprise")

I believe my favorite Penn performances are At Close Range with Christopher Walken and The Falcon and the Snowman, a very good film. And he still makes me laugh as Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Often imitated; never surpassed.

JACK NICHOLSON!!!!!!!

......................................

He was great in Forrest Gump, and I hated that movie! He's definitely done consistently great work. Good choice :thumbsup:

Cat

at Hannity's freedom concert. I didn't realise he was a conservative idiot.

He's still a great actor, though.

.

If they're American, and they work as actors or actresses, then what are they?

Cat

Frances McDormand

His supporting work in Wes Anderson's films is stellar; he takes only projects he likes and refuses to be a whore for Hollywood, and is the best comedic actor working today.

but you gotta admit, he's made a lotta shite too. :)

Cat

Edge," but other than that, what shite has he been in? Maybe "Stripes" and "Ghostbusters" were pretty lowbrow, but compared to any current comedic actor, he's like fuckin' Olivier, in my onion!

Rushmore...ahh, my favorite movie apart from Harold and Maude, which is untouchable.

Something like "The Man Who Wasn't..." something? That was truly bad, you gotta admit. Stripes was genius, IMO, and I loved Ghostbusters as a kid.

Cat

I haven't seen Rushmore in many years, but I always laugh thinking about this.

:hi:

There are of course many more, however...

:)

He has such a natural smooth way to his performance.. Love him!

so here he is. Man's top-notch. SO maybe he's not that active lately, but he's a tremendously talented actor. So's Morgan Freeman IMHO, but somebody's already listed him. Did anyone mention Jack?

Okay, actor of female persuasion, Hmmmmmm, I like her looks a lot so there's some bias, but Ashley Judd. And what about Kathy Bates? By all reports, a very nice person besides being an underrated actor.

She's excellent.

but Cicely Tyson.......

They guy who plays "salieri" in Amadeus? Tom?

Meryl streep is awesome, cate blanchette is lucid
billy bob thorton is very versatile

kevin spacey indeed! loved american beauty.

hands down as the best actor- nobody else comes close.

was great in 25th Hour

Best working actors

Robert Duvall

Al Pacino

Robert DeNiro


Dustin Hoffman


Michael Douglas

very close.

he's such a wingnut. I wish that didn't matter so much to me. I do admire him as an actor. Just don't watch an interview with him. In "real life" he's O'Reilly's older brother.

He, George Clooney, and Anthony Hopkins are the best in the business. My wife recently rented "The Life of David Gale" which I knew next to nothing about but I figured since it had Spacey in it that it must be worth a look.

even though I've already voted. Hackman is a wonderful actor without any tricks or tics. The man conveys everything; humor, intelligence, rage, and heart. He is an American treasure. "I think the dog got my shoes, Clyde" is heartbreaking.

and DeNiro

She adds class to whatever she does. Also love Julianne Moore (The End of the Affair should have gotten
her an Oscar).

I agree that Spacey is a terrific actor. Also like Edward Norton.